Posts Tagged: Detectable Plastic Sheet

Recalls On The Rise?

During the last year, the number and size of food recalls has been staggering. With several major food processors, specifically in the poultry market, recalling massive amounts of product due to contamination, perhaps a change in material is in order, simply changing to a Metal or X-ray detectable plastic material may end recalls for contamination. Here is a recent Press Release detailing the recalls and a rather straight forward and easy solution.

(>Newswire.net — October 10, 2016) Anaheim, CA – Can ‘Blue’ fix food recalls? –The year 2016 has seen some staggering food recalls by large food processors. Massive recalls of chicken specifically seem to have happened multiple times. The part that is the most amazing is that the root cause of many of these kinds of recalls is preventable. The specific recalls listed below are all for possible plastic contamination in the food product.

These large food processors should be aware of some simple steps that can totally eliminate these kinds of contaminates from getting into their food products.

Penny Wise, Pound Foolish

While using FDA approved plastic materials for conveyor parts and moving components is a standard practice in most food processing plants, many processors use the cheapest available approved materials. This means that many producers are using a natural (white) HDPE, Acetal or other white approved plastic material. While it is safe to use these plastics, occasionally one of these parts gets jammed, breaks or wears to the point where parts can crack and pieces can get into the food processing line.

It Is Plain To See

The first easy step would be to use the same quality FDA approved material, but to buy the Blue version of the same approved material. This minor color change in the material makes any contaminates very easy to see with the naked eye. Since there are no food products in these bright blue colors, as long as there are employees looking at the food line, these broken pieces are easy to detect.

I Can See You

Speaking of detect, the big step up for detection of contaminates is to use a FDA approved plastic that is detectable by the X-ray or metal detection equipment already installed in these food processing lines. While these ‘detectable’ plastics cost more, they certainly cost less than one recent 4.5 million pound poultry recall.

The goal here is not to point the finger or call any company a ‘bad processor’, but rather to encourage these great food processors to use the ‘best practice’ types of materials to eliminate these monster food recalls.

In September 2016, Tyson Foods recalled 130,000 pounds of chicken nuggets for foreign materials in the product.

“According to Tyson Foods, the plastic material ranged in size from 21mm in length and 6.5mm in diameter and may have come from a round, hard plastic rod used to connect a plastic transfer belt. The firm said the products pass through a metal detector, but the plastic is not detectable to this technology,” the USDA recall announcement said.

Have You Considered Detectable Blue?

Perhaps they could consider using a metal detectable plastic that is detectable by a standard metal detector. Industrial Plastic Supply has supplied this FDA approved Metal Detectable UHMW rod since early 2010. Currently, there are several FDA approved materials that are available in Blue; UHMW, Acetal, Nylon, Polyester and now PEEK. Some of these materials are also available in a ‘triple detection’ version, where it is detectable because of the vivid Blue color, and it is also Metal detectable and X-Ray detectable. One of these new versions is the Ultra-Detectable Polyester rod made by Ensinger Plastics called Hydex 4101 UD Blue (FDA Grade Polyester).

–In April and May of 2016, Pilgrim’s Pride had a recall totaling 5,550,904 pounds (yes 5.5 million pounds) of poultry do to possible foreign matter contamination.

The cost is staggering. To recall this quantity of food takes a small army of people to identify the possibly contaminated batches of food. Then notification is spread to all the possible distribution and wholesalers. The USDA is normally notified as one more step to notify the public.

What is the cost to change to a more detectable plastic?

This depends on the type of plastic, and the detection method.

Let’s assume that the currently used material is an FDA approved grade of 1″ diameter Natural Acetal rod (a popular performance plastic used in food processing). And let’s assume this material would sell for approximately $2.00 – $2.50 per linear foot.

Changing to a Bright Blue FDA approved grade of Acetal Rod would cost about $3.50 – $4.00 per foot.

Upgrading to a Metal and X-ray detectable FDA grade of Blue Acetal plastic rod would cost in the range of $8.25 – $9.00 per foot.

A recall of 100,000 pounds of poultry is, of course, significantly more expensive than upgrading the plastic materials in the food processing plant. Consider the upgrade an inexpensive insurance policy against these kinds of monster recalls.

Contact us for more information on these Detectable Products. Blue Sheet and Rod is available in Acetal, Delrin, Nylon, PBT – Polyester, and more. The special ‘triple detectable’ grades are currently produced in Acetal (Tecaform UD Blue) and PBT – Polyester (Hydex 4101 UD Blue). More materials are in final stages of development. Contact us for your special requirements.

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Frankly, I am blown away! We needed some Delrin rod, and so we started calling around. Most companies I called said ‘they could get it’ or ‘they can order it from back East’. After calling 5 other places I called Industrial Plastic of Anaheim. They had all the materials we needed in the right diameters,…

I had gone to another plastic supply in the area open to the public and was told at the desk it was a $100 minimum, even after speaking with that rep on the phone. Found Industrial Plastic Supply and was very satisfied with my purchase and my experience. Carlos helped me out and was incredibly…

I went to industrial plastic supply the other day to purchase some plastic for a project. Carlos helped me on the floor and was extremely helpful! He really took the time to help me! It was nearing closing time but Carlos didn’t care and still treated me as though I was a customer that came…

Arrived at this plastic wonderland around half an hour before closing time. The employee was really kind and took interest in our project. He asked a few questions to get a better understanding on the best suitable product. Very knowledgeable in the plastics about durability and flexibility. We even were allowed to be shown the…

I called them and worked with one of their reps on a custom project I needed for work. It started with me describing the problem and their rep helped me find the right product, they then sketched out a design for my approval and fabricated at a reasonable price. I am overall happy, the material…

The best will call experience I’ve had. Miguel was great and more than willing to help me find what I needed. He showed me the plastics I had questions about and even show me other plastics that would work for me. I loved that the warehouse was clean and organized. Will defiantly be going back…

I was very impressed with the professionalism and assistance they provided. They have a ton of materials in stock, way more than any other plastic supply house I have visited. The guy at the counter was eager to help, and cut the parts I needed while I waited. Great experience.

Great help and service Needed a window for my store front. I found this place online and got a piece of polycarbonate. It’s very strong and durable and got a good price. The salesman was very helpful. Highly recommend this place.

The only plastic place that does what they say they will do. After years of buying from a variety of plastic places, I have been burned over and over by lots of suppliers. Industrial Plastic is the real deal, and ship stuff to me when they say they will. No issues ever!

Industrial Plastic Supply is a great place to deal with! They are very helpful, friendly and knowledgeable. I learn something new about plastics every time I go there. Everyone I’ve dealt with has been great. They don’t mind small orders and have always gotten our orders correct. Carlos has been especially helpful, teaching me about…

Very nice people, and seem to have good knowledge of product. Needed some round stock to make parts, and they had most sizes I need. The size they didn’t have they had to order. Hopefully the stuff will be in soon. Said they would call.

This place is my favorite plastics supplier. They are always very helpful, friendly and knowledgeable. I learn more about our options with various materials every time I go. Carlos has been especially helpful. I really appreciate how they go above and beyond to help. Keep up the great work guys!

As a user of plastic materials, I think that Industrial Plastics is the best place to get plastics. I don’t buy a lot, so the fact that they will sell me mechanical plastic rod by the foot is huge. Everyone else wants me to buy a full length. Kevin and Carlos always treat me like…

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